drink than by any other cause. Learn the great lesson of temperance in all things. Nothing will conduce more to a healthy body and a healthy mind than temperance. So was it here. These young men surpassed all the others in their outward appearance, and in their intellectual attainments. Temperance promotes mental as well as bodily vigour. Note how it is said they obtained their knowledge. God gave them knowledge. Every good gift comes from God. If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth unto all men. Memory Exercise-Shorter Catechism 94.-Proverbs xxx. 8. Subject to be proved-We should be Simple in our Tastes. Golden Text-" Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me."-Proverbs xxx. 8. NOTES.-A wise, practical prayer. Remove-take away-do not cause me to mingle with liars or vain persons. A prayer this especially for the young. God, in His providence, may cast their lot among such persons, but it is right to pray to be kept from them. How terrible is it to make choice of such as our companions! Then the next part of the prayer. Poverty has its dangers as well as riches. We may very safely pray to be kept from both, and then we reach the golden mean. Note, he asks simply food convenient for him. Remember the Lord's Prayer-" Give us this day our daily bread." Having that, what more do we need? Contentment, with godliness, is great gain. The Teacher's Quiver; OR, ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE LESSONS. LESSON 297.-HEZEKIAH'S SICKNESS AND RECOVERY.-Isaiah xxxviii. 1-22. 68. We should be prepared for Death, (ver. 1.)—Before the battle of Hatcher's Run, a Christian soldier said to his comrade, "You are detailed to go to the front, while I am to remain with the baggage! Let us change places. I'll go to the front; you remain in camp." "What for?" said the comrade.-" Because I am prepared to die, I think; but you are not.' The exchange was made. The thought of the self-sacrifice of his friend led the unsaved soldier to repentance and to like preparation. 69. There is great Power in Prayer, (verses 2-8.)—In the Autumn of 1799, when the well-known Rev. T. Charles, of Bala, was dangerously ill, and his life was despaired of, very earnest prayers for his recovery were offered up in his chapel. Several members prayed on the occasion; and one member was much noticed at the time for the very urgent and importunate manner with which he prayed. Alluding to the fifteen years added to Hezekiah's life, he, with unusual fervency, entreated the Almighty to spare his pastor's life for at least fifteen years. He several times repeated the following words, with such melting importunity that all present were greatly affected:"Fifteen years more, O Lord; we beseech Thee to add fifteen years more to the life of Thy servant. And wilt Thou not, O our God, give fifteen years more for the sake of Thy Church and Thy cause? Mr. Charles was restored to health. He heard of this prayer, and it made a deep impression on his mind. He was more than ever industrious in every good work, establishing Sabbath schools, originating the Bible Society, and doing great good, not only in Wales, but in Scotland and Ireland as well. The last time he was in South Wales he was asked when he would be back again. His answer was, "Probably never. My fifteen years are nearly up." And it is remarkable that his death occurred just at the termination of the fifteen years. LESSON 298.-MANASSEH.-2 Chron. xxxiii. 1-20. 70. Those who Sin make Others Sin, (ver. 9.)-When John Newton was on board the Harwich, he became acquainted with a young midshipman who was then free from open vice. Newton, however, plunged into all manner of dissipation, and the young midshipman soon followed his example, and sank deeper than himself. After Newton was converted he sought out this young man, and repeatedly tried to rescue him from the dangerous course upon which he had entered. But to no purpose. His excesses at last threw him into a malignant fever, of which he died; but not till he had appalled all those about him, and pronounced his own sad doom without shewing any symptom that he hoped or asked for mercy. A sad reflection for John Newton, and a sad illustration of the text, "Evil communications corrupt good manners.' 71. We should shew by our Works the Sincerity of our Repentance, (verses 15, 16.)-Father Beauregard once preached an eloquent sermon in Notre Dame upon the injury done by the reading of irreligious books. A lady, who was a bookseller in Paris, heard the sermon, and, conscious that she had many irreligious books in her shop, she was very deeply impressed. After the sermon she went to the preacher, and, with tears in her eyes, said to him, "You have shewn me how sinful I have been in selling many impious books, and I entreat you to finish the good work you have begun, by coming to my warehouse and examining all the books which are in it, and putting aside all those which may be injurious to morals or religion. I am resolved to part with them, whatever it may cost me. I had rather lose part of my property than consent to lose my soul." Father Beauregard complied with her request. The very next day he selected the books be considered objectionable. The lady, in his presence, cast them into a great fire she had provided. The cost of the books was £600; but she made the sacrifice without a murmur. LESSON 299.-JOSIAH.-2 Kings xxii. 1-20. 72. The Young should Serve the Lord, (verses 1, 2.)-The ancient warriors would not admit an old man into their army. They considered him unfit for service. Though Jesus rejects no one who comes to Him, very few ever come in old, or even in middle age. In all the revivals that have taken place in our own and in other countries, the great bulk of those who have enlisted as soldiers of Christ have been under twenty years of age. And it is to the young that Christ specially appeals. "Suffer the little children to come unto Me." 73. The Bible is to be Prized, (verses 10-20.)-A little Irish boy was very fond of reading his Bible. But the priest having heard of his practice, visited him, and ordered him to produce his Bible. The boy brought it, and reluctantly placed it in the priest's hands, who at once put it into the fire. Looking round after the precious volume was consumed, the priest saw a smile of triumph on the boy's face. On inquiring the cause of the smile, the boy said, "I feel happy at the thought that you can't burn those chapters that I have learned by heart." LESSON 300.-DANIEL AND HIS COMPANIONS.-Daniel i. 1-21. 74. We can Thrive and be happy without Luxuries, (verses 12-15.)-A philosopher, who was passing through a market filled with articles of taste and luxury, made himself quite happy with this simple, yet sage reflection, "How many things there are here that I do not want!' 75. There is Danger in Using Wine or Spirits, (verse 8.)-A poor confirmed drunkard, when asked where and when the first stage in his downward course began, replied, "At my father's table, when I was a boy. I acquired a love for drink before I left home. The first drop I ever tasted was handed to me by my mother; and, through my intemperate habits, she is now heart-broken!" PRICE ONE PENNY EACH. 1. HOLINESS FROM THE LORD. By William Sloan, Glasgow. 2. A BROKEN PILLAR. By Rev. Alexander Andrew, Glasgow. 3. THE WISDOM OF WINNING SOULS. By Rev. Wm. Armstrong, Rutherglen. Eight Pages, Price 1s. per 100; Eight Pages, Price 1s. per 100; Or in Packets containing 50 Assorted, Price 6d. Or in Packets containing 50 Assorted, Price 6d. Abingdon Series of Tinted Leaflets. Royal Series of Tinted Leaflets. Packet II. contains 50 Assorted of the following. 9. Faith and Feeling. By Rev. J. Wells, M.A. 10. "Bury me Beside Chalmers." By Rev. Robt. Gilchrist. 11. All Gold. By Rev. Andrew A. Bonar, D.D. 13. The Two Religions. By Rev. J. Wells, M.A. 16. "Born Once, Die Twice; Born Twice, Die Packet III. contains 50 Assorted of the following. 17. The Hedger's Grip. By Rev. G. Mills, A.M. 18. "I have You Now.' By Rev. Andrew A. Bonar, D.D. 19. The Cart before the Horse. By Rev. John Riddell, B.A. 20. "Nae Fears o' Me." 21. Spare the Green. By Rev. A. A. Bonar, D.D. 22. God is Merciful. By Rev. John Riddell, B.A. 23. Splinters in the Wound. By Rev. Andrew A. Bonar, D.D. 24. God's Own Way. By Robert Stewart, S.S.C. 4. What Gives True Happiness? By Rev. Robt. 5. The Aged Convert. By Rev. W. Clark, M.A. 6. The Christian Soldier. By Rev. James Hamilton, D.D., F.L.S. [Joseph Cook. 7. "The Certainties of Religion." By Rev. 8. Hardened. By Rev. James Wells, M.A. Packet II. contains 50 Assorted of the following. 9. The Wonderful Telegram. By Robt. Stewart, S.S.C. [Alex. Andrew. 10. What is your Ground of Hope? By Rev. 11. "Intended for a Throne." By Rev. John [Andrew. By Rev. Alexander By Robert Noble, 14. "Is it Wrong; or, May I go to the Theatre or Music Hall?" By G. Williams, Evangelist. The Lesson of Lot. By D. L. Moody. 15. 16. The Spirits in Prison. By Rev. Andrew A. Bonar, D.D. Packet III. contains 50 Assorted of the following. 21. "In Him." By Robert Noble, Missionary. NOW READY, THE VOICE OF PRAISE, Containing upwards of 200 Hymns, suitable for Sabbath Schools, Evangelistic, and Open-Air Services. The Favourite Religious Periodical for Homes and Schools, "THE CHILDREN'S MESSENGER," MONTHLY: PRICE ONE HALPENNY CHARLES GLASS & CO., 33 EAST HOWARD STREET, GLASGOW. May be had of all Booksellers. |